India introduces injectable polio vaccine in routine immunization

But we will have to be vigilant till the virus is eradicated globally, " Nadda said at a function in New Delhi to launch the vaccine. This new polio vaccine is manufactured by Shantha Biotechnics in Hyderabad.

India's first injectible inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) was on Monday launched by Health Minister J.P. Nadda as part of the country's commitment to global polio eradication.

"With the introduction of IPV in their immunization schedule, India moves the world much closer to being polio-free", Sanofi Pasteur President and CEO Olivier Charmeil said.

Sanofi Pasteur provides over one billion doses of vaccine each year.

But the risk is still there with the virus being active in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

India witnessed 41 cases of vaccine-derived polio virus (VDPV) in the last six years including two in 2014 besides close to 150 vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP) infections so far. "Ours will be the last generation to see the horror of children paralysed or killed by polio".

OPV has been instrumental in ending polio cases in India and has been used across the world to reduce the number of cases of polio by over 99 per cent in the past twenty years.

The introduction of IPV in routine immunization is as per recommendation made in the World Health Assembly in May 2015. In the beginning, one dose of IPV will be administered along with the third dose of OPV and DPT to children who are 14-week-old", said Dr SNS Yadav, chief medical officer, Lucknow adding, "Even after being immunised with IPV, it is essential all children are immunised with OPV every time it is offered."IPV when used in combination with OPV can quickly boost immunity against poliovirus and offer double protection".

WHO, the Geneva-based global health watchdog, has hailed India's introduction of injectable Polio vaccine to prevent re-emergence of the highly infectious viral disease as a "historic moment". "Under the IAP guidelines, we use three doses of IPV along with OPV".

In February 2014, Sanofi Pasteur - the world's largest producer of IPV - and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a joint price support mechanism, including a financial contribution from both organisations.